PIA Press Release2006/10/18

Maasin City (18 October) -- Whether college or high school graduate can now avail of programs offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), DOST Southern Leyte Provincial Director Dominador Clavejo announced during the weekly Kaabag TV program held last October 17 here.

Clavejo revealed that DOST is offering college graduates who have undergone the DOST Academic Technology-Based Enterprise Program (DATBEP) a livelihood program through capital assistance for any small entrepreneurial business they would propose. This would help them develop their skills in entrepreneurship, Clavejo said.

DOST will provide them capital assistance so they can start their own business. To date, they have already assisted some small entrepreneurs who were graduates from So. Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus like broiler production, ampalaya production, bangus production, among others, Clavejo disclosed.

On the other hand, for undergraduates, DOST offers technologies and services to those who are willing to expand or improve their micro-businesses. They will assist them in the purchase of equipment or train these small entrepreneurs additional skills in their own field of business, Clavejo further said.

DOST had been assisting various entrepreneurs not only here in the locality but also throughout the province. To name a few, there is the bocarillo and salvaro production, abaca textile production, virgin coconut oil production, vegetable and fruit processing, among others. They have also extended assistance through conduct trainings, technology transfer, consultations, purchase of equipments and the like.

For those who are still studying, their agency is offering a scholarship program for elementary graduates who wanted to continue in their high school studies. They will undergo an examination to qualify the free schooling from DOST. This is also applicable to High School graduates and those in the elementary level. Deadline for submission of applications forms is set on November 10, Clavejo further said. The qualifying exam will be on the first week of December, 2006 at Saint Joseph College here, he added. (PIA-Southern Leyte) [top]